An empirical study of XML/EDI

Electronic data interchange (EDI) plays an important role in contemporary e lectronic commerce. It is believed that Extensible Markup Language (XML)/ED I will be the next generation of EDI. In this paper, we thoroughly study an d analyze the XML/EDI framework proposed by the XML/EDI Group, and design a s well as implement an XML/EDI prototype for Taiwan's flower distribution c hannels. In accordance with the experiences obtained from the prototype dev elopment, we provide in depth analysis of the technology for XML developers and our observations of possible research opportunities in the application s of XML in electronic commerce. Also this paper proposes a general impleme ntation procedure for the industries that are interested in the application of XML/EDI. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.